James Piot of Canton Rallies, Wins Tournament of Champions

BOYNE FALLS – James Piot was hoping to catch some momentum this week before returning to play on the PGA Tour Americas in a few weeks.

The 27-year-old Canton native and Michigan’s only ever U.S. Amateur Champion caught that momentum and the leaders, shooting a final-round 7-under 65 on Boyne Mountain’s Alpine Course to win the 34th Tournament of Champions Wednesday.

“It feels great to play the way I did today, especially that back nine to finish it off strong,” he said. “It’s a great feeling and I’m super proud of how this week went. “

Piot, a former LIV Tour player, started the final round two shots off the lead, but started moving up the leaderboard on the front nine and then made four consecutive birdies starting on the 10th hole and moved to the top of the leaderboard.

Teaching pro Matt Thompson of Jonesville, one of three leaders starting the day, was tied with Piot for the lead for a few holes, but Piot made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to get to 7-under for the round and finished the last two holes with pars for a final 14-under 202.

Thompson, meanwhile, missed a final birdie putt from 10 feet away on the par 5 18th and shot 68 for 203.

Alex Scott, a mini-tour pro from Traverse City who shot a final 67, first-year pro Bryce Wheeler of Augusta who shot 68, and current Wayne State University golfer Jack Julian of South Lyon who shot 67, each finished at 204, two shots back.

Two-time Tournament of Champions winner Barrett Kelpin, a Kalamazoo native now working as a golf instructor in Wisconsin, and Eric Lilleboe of Okemos, a former pro awaiting his amateur status to be restored, finished at 211. Kelpin closed with a 66, and Lilleboe, who was tied for the lead with Thompson and Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor before the final round, shot 70.

Piot, who won $10,500, the Walter Burkemo Trophy and the green blazer signifying a membership in the Country Club of Boyne, said he was hitting the ball well the first two rounds and hitting a lot of good putts that were just not dropping.

“It felt like that at the beginning today,” he said. “Then eventually it clicked for that four (birdies) in a row, and then from there I was able to keep the momentum going into the clubhouse.”

He said his goal starting the final round was to shoot 8-under.

“That’s kind of what I thought the number would be to give myself a chance,” he said. “But obviously getting to 7-under after a rough first tee ball and a bogey (on hole 1), just staying in there was great for me.”

Thompson, who had Piot and a large gathering watch him finish in the final group, said he didn’t look at the leaderboard until he was in the fairway at 18, a par 5 playing into the wind Wednesday.

“I was debating going for (the green) from there, but I was a few yards too far out to get over the water,” he said. “I had a last chance, just didn’t make that putt. I played great though. It was fun being in the last group and being in contention. I came with no expectations because I haven’t played much at all. Somebody had to go really low to beat us and he did.”

Julian, the Michigan Publinx Medal Play Champion earlier this summer, was the low amateur in the unique tournament that brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing for the same title from different tee positions.

Jay Jurecic, the defending champion, was among the leaders throughout the tournament. He shot a final 67 for 206 and eighth place and was the low senior professional.

Doug Hoey of West Olive shot 72 for 216 and was the low senior amateur.

Kamryn Shannon of Jackson, a Ferris State University All-American this year, shot a final 69 for 215 and was the low female amateur.

Hall of Famer Suzy Green-Roebuck of Ann Arbor shot 73 for 218 and was the low female professional.

Piot praised the golf course conditions and the hospitality at Boyne Mountain and said he looked forward to using his Boyne membership.

“I’m super grateful for this week,” he said. “This is a great tournament, so much fun to play and I love coming up here.”